While some people are amping up their diets and gym routines in a frantic attempt to look amazing when the family comes over for the holidays, others are hitting the gym for another reason—powder.

NOLS instructor Jaime Musnicki gave us some advice on prepping for ski season (and, incidentally, looking great for the holidays). Her first suggestion was maintaining an active lifestyle. But by preparing specifically as ski season approaches, you can gain longer days early in the season, decrease risk of injury, and, ultimately get in more skiing this season. Here's where to start.

Cardiovascular Fitness

Walking, running, hiking, and biking are all great ways to improve cardio fitness. And interval training is essential. “A lot of skiing is more anaerobic than aerobic, so being able to have the high-intensity workouts is really important for training purposes,” Musnicki said. Ski-specific core and lower body exercises like plyometrics are helpful in building stability from legs up to the core.

Strength

While plyometrics build strength, weight training is also a great way to set yourself up for success. “Probably the biggest injuries, in the early season especially, are knee injuries," noted Musnicki. "A lot of that is directly related to your quads and hamstrings—which hold your knees together—just not being quite as strong as they could be yet.” Dynamic movements such as squat thrusts and jumping lunges can prevent an early-season injury from ruining the season.

Musnicki added that backcountry skiers tend to pull muscles in the hip flexor region while breaking trail skinning. Be sure to train your core and stabilize your hips through strength training and stretching to avoid this kind of injury.

Functional Flexibility

Yoga provides strength training, as well as functional flexibility. Yoga provides better body awareness, allowing yoga-skiers to use the body in different ways and prevent injuries.

Protecting Yourself on the Slopes

Movement is how the body stays warm, and food and water fuel that. Bring warm and/or flavored water, which you may be more likely to drink on a cold day in the snow.

Confidence

“People get hurt skiing most frequently when they’re being tentative in going, in committing to the fall line and going downhill,” Musnicki noted. Skiing assertively—aggressively can take you to the other end of injury—keeping your weight forward, and stress off your knees and back also allows a skier to respond to terrain more easily.

April 05, 2011

In the last year, splitboarding has reached a tipping point. Ski movie stalwarts Teton Gravity Research released Deeper, which featured snowboards that transform into skis, to much fanfare. In the last three years, several snowboard companies have begun aggressively marketing these backcountry boards. Splitboarding may seem like a new sport, but in actuality, it’s been sitting on the fringe of snowboarding for almost 20 years.

In the late 1980s Brett Kobernick began tinkering with boards. He hand-cut standard snowboards in half to fashion skis for uphill movement and slapped a set of adhesive climbing skins to the bottom. At the top, a rider could simply remove the skins and reconnect the board for downhill riding. In 1992, Kobernick partnered with Salt Lake City, Utah, ski manufacturer Voile. By 1994 the hardware to split a snowboard hit the market. At first, snowboarders looking to hit the open backcountry away from resorts had to purchase the Voile kit and chop a snowboard in half on their own. For a lot of consumers the

Eventually, Voile began marketing factory-made splitboards for the small market. Snowboarding giant Burton offered a version for a few years, but discontinued it. In the last three years, as the pull of the backcountry has hit the masses, there are now a dozen or so splitboard manufacturers who produce different shapes and sizes to suit a rider’s ability, style, and size. The new boards are smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable than the previous generations. A few companies have begun to create bindings specifically designed for splitboarding, and now snowboarders can keep up with skiers. The sport is evolving rapidly yet the concept remains the same. Ski up. Shred down.

March 07, 2011

Today we published a new photo gallery of the best skiing and snowboarding images to be submitted to My Shot, National Geographic's user photography site. This collection of images, which spans the globe, is impressive, including one of our favorites taken by Dmitry Toikka. Not only was the photo taken in the spectacular Kamchatka region of Russia, known as the "Ring of Fire" for its high density of volcanoes (there are 68 active volcanoes), the snowboarder's awesome dog is trailing him down the slope. Looks like a great day to be riding around in volcano country. Enter the gallery >>

March 03, 2011

Plan your spring skiing and snowboarding around these events and deals at ten of our favorite Colorado ski resorts. March tends to be Colorado's snowiest month, with bountiful storms that fuel the ski season straight into May. So whether it's Mardi Gras slope-style, terrain park boot camps, concerts and competitions, or strategic savings, there's something for all ages. Thanks to Colorado Ski Country USA for sending us these deals and event info.

1. Aspen/Snowmass

The 11th Annual Bud Light Spring Jam will be held March 18 – 20 and March 25 – 27. The multifaceted event will bring two weekends of competitions, downtown concerts and parties to Aspen/Snowmass. The festival kicks off on March 18 with the Core Party concert in downtown Aspen at 8 p.m. featuring indie-rock phenomenon Broken Social Scene and continues the next day at the 3rd annual Fallen Friends Memorial Event and the 12th annual KickAspen Big Air.

A Terrain Park Boot Camp, March 19, 20, 26 and 27, offers both adults and kids instruction on how to slide a box or hit a rail in a mini-park on Snowmass. Two Bud Light Hi-Fi concerts during the event will feature Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk on March 20 at 4 p.m. in the Snowmass Base Village and rock band Pepper will play on March 25 at 8 p.m. at the base of Aspen Mountain. The 4th annual Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls will once again join the Spring Jam lineup.

In the 12th Annual KickAspen Big Air, the best regional ski and snowboard athletes will compete under the lights at the base of Aspen Mountain. Prize giveaways, a beer garden and a DJ will round out the action at the base of the mountain.

Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls returns for the fourth year and features teams of two racing against each other to ski/ride the bowls of Aspen Highlands as fast as they can. On a course designed by Aspen/Snowmass athlete Chris Davenport, the teams can take any route they desire as long as they complete every run listed on the course. Flaik GPS devices will track the athletes as they charge across the mountain. Each team’s final time is a collective average of its members’ times. Last year’s winning team finished the course in 3 hours and 4 minutes.

Aspen/Snowmass’ Kids Ski & Stay Free in April package must be booked by March 18, 2011. Savings of at least $340 per child off the window price rate can be hand based on a four day lift ticket and rental package.

Additionally, the Spring Escape MVP package (Buy 2, Get 3) is available and offers direct to lift packages and last minute lodging specials. All deals can be found at www.aspensnowmass.com/deals.

February 18, 2011

Photograph by Michael Christopher Brown. See the story, photos, and map in the March issue of National Geographic Magazine.

About a year ago, Andrew Skurka embarked on the hardest expedition of his life—4,679 miles of skiing, hiking, and packrafting in wildest Alaska and the Yukon. You probably recall his thoughtful blog dispatches on this website. Though the 29 year old had logged some 25,000 miles on foot since 2002, this expedition challenged Skurka like nothing before it. We're pleased to announce that you can read about his experience in "Circling Alaska in 176 Days," by Dan Koeppel, in the March edition of National Geographic Magazine, on newsstands now. Here Skurka reflects on Alaska, on understanding the wilderness, and why even elite adventurers watch The Bachelor.

You have said this expedition was your hardest ever, by far. How do you feel about Alaska and the Yukon now?Andrew Skurka: This trip put me on edge, from start to finish. There were very few times when I was not out of my comfort zone—the conditions were usually tough, there was always uncertainty about what was ahead, and the consequences of making a mistake could easily have been catastrophic. My earlier trips, I realize now, were always in a very controlled environment; this one was not. I’m strongly risk adverse, and I have wondered whether a thrill-seeker would have handled the stress and uncertainty better than I did. I think this may be true, but I also think that my cautiousness explains why I came out alive, and successful.

Do you think the difficulty of this expedition has changed or matured your connection to the outdoors?AS: I certainly have a much better understanding of true wilderness, due in large part to the final third of the trip across Yukon’s Arctic and Alaska’s Brooks Range. This included the 657-mile, 24-day stretch without crossing a road or seeing another human. I was so unnerved by the first two-week stretch, between Dawson and Fort McPherson, that I called Roman Dial for assurance. “Roman, I’ve never felt so exposed or vulnerable before. I might even say that I was scared.” His response was perfect: “True wilderness is not a place where you will ever be comfortable. Just look at the animals that live out there—they are constantly looking over the shoulders, always on edge, just trying to make it to tomorrow. We’re no different than them.”

What's your normal, non-expedition life like? We know you are a huge fan of The Bachelor.AS: I’m almost ashamed to admit that I’ve become a The Bachelor junkie—it’s my guilty pleasure on Monday nights, too entertaining to miss. Overall, I think my “civilian” life is pretty average. I spend most of my day working at my computer. In the afternoon I try to get out for a run. On the weekends I usually go skiing. After my trip was over I was intentionally unproductive through the New Year, so that I could recover and reenergize again. I preoccupied myself with training for a 50-mile ultra-marathon in California’s Marin Headlands in December. My finishing time of 8 hours 8 minutes was respectable in light of the course’s 22,000 feet of vertical gain and loss, but I definitely don’t have the speed that I used to.

What's next?AS: I’m excited about this year. Over the last seven weeks I have been writing a book on backpacking gear and technique; it should be available in May or June. I’ll start a book about the Alaska-Yukon Expedition soon thereafter. Next week is the first of about 35 presentations and clinics I have scheduled through October. And this summer I’ll be guiding a few trips in the High Sierra and Alaska. I’d like to get out on a short personal trip too but I may have to wait until 2012. I may have a dream job, but I have economic realities like everybody else.

If you've seen any of the recent Warren Miller ski flicks, then you know Jenn Berg. She demonstrated her amazing big-mountain freeskiing skills in the last five films. She's also been in pretty much every skiing—you know in those photos that are both gorgeous and shocking at the same time? We asked the Utah resident and Mountain Hardwear athlete for her favorite ski spots to (hopefully) inspire your long-weekend plans.

Jenn Berg's Top Five Ski Spots

1. Alta and Snowbird, Utah - These mountains have the best snow in the world. They have open gates, so ski touring is always an option. Snowbird has a fast tram and the vert is unparalleled.

February 03, 2011

With 27 feet of snowfall so far and counting—and possibly the best snow in years—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort continues be a retreat for skiers and snowboarders to indulge in some of the best terrain in the country. Here's a new way to see it with EpicQuest's custom ski tours led by Olympic Gold Medalist Tommy Moe.Adventure: Of all the ski resorts to call home, why did you pick Jackson Hole?Tommy Moe: I picked to live and ski in Jackson Hole because of the great skiing and other outdoor pursuits to enjoy daily. The skiing is world class with challenging terrain, steeps, backcountry and big vertical. We also get lots of snow and sunshine!

Now that you no longer compete, how has your approach to skiing changed? My approach to skiing hasn't changed much, I still love to ski as much as ever. I especially love untracked powder, wide open groom runs and steep challenging terrain. I backcountry ski in the Tetons all the time and enjoy the serenity of the mountains.

Do skiers who tour with you have be race? Just kidding. How do you chose where to take the people you are guiding?I chose to take people down terrain and runs based on their ability. It's fun to see them progress to more challenging terrain based on their confidence and skill.

Have you ever had a close call with an avalanche? I had a close call with a large avalanche on the north side of Jackson Hole in Granite Canyon. There was a bunch of new snow, and we just got a little to aggressive on the terrain selection. Halfway down I got nervous in one area and decided to ski cut the slope. As soon as I cut across, the whole slope cracked three feet deep and ran a 1,000 feet down to the creek. I was pissed at myself for being back there and was lucky I didn't get caught in the avalanche. Over the years I've gained a lot of experience from being in the mountains and studying the snowpack.

What are three skill tips you can tell us? I think the most important skills are: 1. Believe in your own ability and trusting yourself; 2. Look ahead while you are skiing so you can react to the terrain changes and be ready for the slopes in front of you; 3. Have fun, live in the moment, be on the offensive, and make it happen!

January 13, 2011

By Alison Gannett; Photograph of Alison Gannett at work gear testing for Patagonia in Crested Butte's Teocalli Bowl.

If your profession is "world champion extreme skier," you are required to suss out the world's ultimate ski spots just put in a day's work. Sounds rough. But even if your day-to-day life isn't devoted to finding fresh tracks, you can still spend your precious free time schussing down them. We asked expedition skier and environmentalist Alison Gannettto give us a cheat sheet to her five favorite ski spots the world over.

2. Andermatt, SwitzerlandCouloirs, glaciers, and endless side country may leave you in another town for lunch.

Down Side: Relatively expensive

Up Sides: Some of the longest chutes you will ever ski, picturesque glaciers, great food. Tip: hire a guide to find the goods; wear your avy gear and harness every day.

3. Crested Butte, Colorado My place for in-bounds adventure and to hone technical skills in the infamous and endless avalanche-controlled powder areas of the North Face, Phoenix/Spellbound, Dead-End Chutes, and Body Bag Glades.

Down Side: Some years can be lean on snow.

Up Sides: Hire a guide for the blue to the double blacks, or forget all that and look for the scariest cliffs to huck (they are all open!). The terrain is so big that it rarely bumps up. There's great coffee and restaurants in this authentic mountain town. Tip: Rent a house in town and leave the car behind; ask a local to show you around.

4. Alta, UtahMy home away from home and my go-to place for the most reliable "best powder on Earth." More dense than Colorado, this snow stacks up and provides a better resistance.

Down Sides: Staying in the affordable black smog of Salt Lake, road closures, and Salt Lake City Mormons close restaurants on Sundays.

Up Sides: It's easy to book a ticket or drive when you see a storm stacking up. Lift tickets are affordable. Tip: try to follow a local to find the goods, if you can....

Up Side: Best food in the world, extremely affordable once you are there, very accessible backcountry in every direction that usually leaves you in some exotic town at nightfall. Tip: Bring diatomaceous earth (wolfcreekranch.com) as a daily prevention for traveler's stomach.

November 30, 2010

This week, Adventure got a chance to chat with one of the best women’s freeskiers of the last decade, Grete Eliassen. What’s that? You’ve never heard of freeskiing? Sure you have, you just didn’t realize it. Think massive snow-park jumps. Think rail sliding. Think back flips off back-country cliffs. Think half pipes, and quarter pipes, and three sixties, and baggy snow pants, and loud music and all those other things that used to attract young people to snowboarding, but think of them on a pair of wide, double tipped skis.

Also known as “freestyle” or “new school” skiing, the sport was developed by the frustrated racers and mogul riders of the late 90s who gradually moved away from their well-established disciplines and into the then snowboard only snow-parks. Among them was a young girl of Norwegian and American parents called Grete Eliassen (pronounced “Gretta”). Growing up between Minnesota and Lilihammer, Norway, Eliassen became a decorated junior ski racer (what else would you do with those two hometowns?). She threw herself into freeskiing full time not long after her father escorted her into her first snow park. Since then, she has gone on to become one of the most decorated women in her sport with four U.S. Open wins, and numerous gold and silver medals in both the half pipe and slope-style X events of the Winter X games. As she has gotten older, she’s pushed into the back country while simultaneously pursuing a degree in Business Management at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

At the ripe old age of 24, Eliassen is probably staring down the barrel of the latter half of her professional skiing career. But as Adventure found out, that doesn’t mean she’s lost a step. After watching her aptly titled movie, Say My Name at the New York City Snow Film Festival this past weekend, we got her on the phone to get the scoop on sexism, business, core strength workout, gangsta rap, and the future of women’s skiing. Luckily, she had just stepped out of class.

October 12, 2010

We've just updated our popular America's
Best Adventures feature with 50 new trips, bringing our grand total to 100 iconic escapes (see the map, state-by-state list, and photo gallery, too). So no matter what your pleasure—hiking,
heli-skiing, surfing, climbing, biking, or paddling—we've got the perfect adventure
for you. Check in each day for a new, out-the-backdoor adventure highlighted here on our blog.

By Kate Siber; Photograph by Whit Richardson, Aurora/Getty Images

If the Wild West is still alive, it’s no more
obvious than at Silverton Mountain. This scruffy mom-and-pop ski area
is the country’s premier antiresort. The low-speed, two-person
chairlift, the old laundry trucks they use as shuttles, and the
wood-stove-heated base yurt are your first clues as to the owners’
no-nonsense philosophy: It’s all about the skiing. And skiing there is.

Situated
in the remote southwestern corner of Colorado, a seven-hour drive from
Denver, Silverton has 1,800 acres (728 hectares) of bowls, chutes, and
cliffs all served up au naturel with nary a groomer in sight. To put it
mildly, blue-square skiers need not apply: The easiest run tops out at
about 35 degrees in pitch. The lift brings you to over 12,000 feet
(3,658 meters), but many skiers huff up another 1,000 more vertical
feet (305 meters) to access the hairiest couloirs. With an obscene
amount of snow—400-plus inches (10-plus meters)—and an utter dearth of
skiers (rarely more than 80 per day), Silverton virtually guarantees
fresh tracks.

When planning a trip, there are
several modes of attack. On select dates in December, January, and
April, skiers can ride without a guide. For the rest of the season,
skiing is guide-only. Helicopter assistance is available all season:
One single helicopter drop gets skiers to a peak or ridge unreachable
by foot; a roundtrip drop and pickup gets a day of remote backcountry
touring with a guide; or book an entire day and have work-free freshies
and gratis bragging rights.

Need to Know: Reserve tickets in advance at Silverton Mountain (www.silvertonmountain.com).
Unguided tickets are $49 and guided tickets are $99 to $139, depending
on the month. Not including lift ticket, heli drops are $159,
heli-accessed backcountry ski touring is $320. A full day of
heli-skiing is $999 per person, lift ticket included.